Page 90 of Rise of the Phoenix King (Crown and Crest 4)

“A dagger.” He pauses. “Bandit attack in Waterside a few years ago.”

“Did you win?” I ask.

“Yes.”

There’s another scar at his side, this one curved. My fingers drift over it. “Another bandit attack?”

His hand skims over my back.

“A ramdore,” he says hoarsely, speaking of the large, flightless birds in the southern region of Dulane. They’re predators, and they attack in flocks. “We stumbled on a nest while looking for an assassin near Forsten.”

“Mmm,” I trail my fingertips over his skin. “And this—”

Henrik moves his hand to my side, taking possession of my waist. He pulls me against him, and my hands fly to his chest. My knees soften, reacting to his touch.

“You can map my battle scars later,” he promises, and then he drops his mouth to mine. But this time when he kisses me, he doesn’t just caress my lips…

He claims them.

Henrik’s fingers tighten over me, working in tandem with his mouth, warm through the fabric of my gown. When I think my knees will no longer support me, he leans over and scoops me into his arms, carrying me into the bedchamber. He lays me on the bed, nestling my head atop the pillows.

Brushing his fingers through my hair, he says, “We need to talk about something.”

I shake my head in protest, reaching for him. “I don’t want to talk.”

He takes my hand in his, kissing it and then holding it hostage. “I want you to stay in Cabaranth tomorrow when I leave.”

Startled, I sit up, pushing him back. “What?”

“I was going to have Lawrence command you to stay, but I’ve decided that’s not fair to you, and that’s not the kind of marriage I want. So I’m asking you, please…” He begs me with his gaze. “Don’t come with us tomorrow.”

“Henrik.” Frustrated tears sting my eyes. “But—”

“You’ve seen enough death. You’ve experienced sadness and witnessed the horrors of battle. But I don’t want that for you, and you’ve never trained for this. You are a good archer—” He smiles when I begin to protest and amends, “You are anexcellentarcher. But you’re not ready for true war.”

“How can I stay?” I whisper. “The whole time I’ll wonder…”

He brings my hand to his face, resting his cheek against my knuckles. “I know.”

“It’s a cruel request, soldier,” I say softly.

He nods. “And a selfish one.”

I draw in a deep breath, feeling like I’m going to cry. “Horribly selfish.”

“But will you do it?” He kisses my knuckles. “For me?”

Pressing my lips together to hold back my protests, I nod.

Relief softens Henrik’s expression, and he closes his eyes, clinging to my hand. I pull him onto the bed, coaxing him to lie beside me, drawing circles on his bare stomach with my fingertip. And though I don’t want to think morbid thoughts, I can’t help it. This could be our last night. Ouronlynight.

“We have better things to dwell on right now.” I flatten my palm against his skin, emboldened by the way his muscles tense under my touch. “Let’s not waste our time with thoughts of morning.”

Henrik turns to look at me, his gaze heated. After several long seconds, he rolls over, caging me between his arms. I close my eyes as he lowers his mouth to mine, losing myself to his touch.

No matter how brief it might be, I’m thankful we have this time together.

22

---